Saints push through injury pains, excel in fields

Numerous MHCC track and field athletes had the opportunity to compete at the famed Hayward Field in Eugene and the Saints also participated L & C Invite meet at Lewis and Clark College over spring break, bringing home several first place finishes.

At the Oregon Preview meet March 16 in Eugene, MHCC freshman thrower McKenzie Warren placed fifth in both the hammer throw (46.53 meters) and the discus (39.86 meters) and placed sixth in the shot put with a distance of 12.43 meters.

On the men’s side, MHCC sophomore javelin record holder Tyler Callahan was the highest Saints finisher at the meet, placing fourth (58.44 meters).

Sophomore distance runner Chris Newell placed fifth in the 2000-meter steeplechase (6:16).

At the L & C Invite the following week on March 22-23, Callahan was the winner of the men’s javelin, throwing for 63.81 meters, nearly 10 more meters than the nearest competitor. Callahan also placed fifth in the men’s discus (38.66 meters). Freshman Quinton Cody placed fourth in the discus with a throw of 39.87 meters.

Field events were once again the MHCC women’s team’s strong suit at the meet,

Warren placed third in the hammer (45.71 meters), fourth in the shot put (11.98 meters) and third in the discus (42.98 meters). Her sophomore teammate Tori Dixson placed fifth in the discus with a throw of 37.86 meters. Freshman Charlene Manning placed fourth in the high jump (1.48 meters) and tied for second with freshman teammate Carrie Haguewood in the long jump, both of whom jumped for 4.65 meters. Manning also placed third in the 100-meter hurdles (16.05).

The women’s 4×400-meter relay team, consisting of freshman Whitney Warren, sophomore Molly Scoles, freshman Caitlyn Safely and sophomore Christa Collmer, placed second overall, finishing with a time of 4:12.

Collmer was also the winner of the women’s 800-meter (2:20) and placed fourth in the 1500-meter with a time of 4:47.

“We have some really good talent,” said jumping coach Becca Urbany regarding this year’s crop of jumpers. “We’re looking for some big performances.”

In particular, Urbany said the women’s jumps were strong, pointing out athletes such as Manning and Haguewood, both of whom are only freshmen.

Though the MHCC track and field team has had several highlights and record-breaking marks this season, minor injuries have been plaguing many athletes.

“Almost everyone has shin splints,” said Urbany, which she attributes to the poor condition of the track that is several decades old.

Urbany said a new resurfaced track would help with the injuries and the team would have to travel less and can compete at home meets, something it is not doing even once this season.

On March 29-30, MHCC was scheduled to host the Mt. Hood Multi Meet, but was cancelled due to insufficient participants, according to head coach Matt Hart. He said that several athletes on the women’s team were looking to compete at the meet, adding that they might participate in other multi-event meets elsewhere.

The Mt. Hood Multi Meet was the only scheduled home meet for the Saints this season.

The Saints travel north this Saturday to Tacoma, Wash., for the Shotwell Classic at the University of Puget Sound.